Two German companies - STAHLWILLE, a manufacturer of equipment and hand tools, and Oculavis, a developer of augmented reality glasses - presented at the metallurgical exhibition EMO in Hannover their joint development of a prototype of a high-tech gadget: a protective mask that allows the consumer to quickly master the installation of a wide range of bolted connections in assembly production. The development not only reduces training time, but also increases the reliability of particularly important and critical connections.
Many years ago, STAHLWILLE developed smart glasses with the aim of improving the assembly process and quality control of connections. Today, when companies have already received a patent for their development, they are actively using it, conducting research and monitoring the results.
The system uses augmented reality glasses that communicate wirelessly with a smart torque wrench. Through the same interface, the production management system loads the sequence of installation operations into the glasses, which the worker sees in front of him, and into the torque wrench - the required tightening torque. Once the connection is established, this fact is documented.
Such a system is really necessary in production, where strict adherence to the sequence of installation of fasteners is a critical factor for the further safe operation of the product. This system is especially in demand in the aviation and automotive industries.
Before using the system, it is necessary to enter into the program all the data for each connection, the type of fastener used, installation parameters, a three-dimensional model of the unit and the procedure. Only after complete installation and following all the rules will the installer be able to see and follow all the necessary prompts in the correct sequence when assembling the part.
